Ms. Groß, you’ve been working at the University as the new KIA officer since early November. Please introduce yourself briefly.

In 2005, I completed my degree in industrial engineering at HSZG. After that, I worked for a long time at my family’s business until I moved to the Chamber of Industry and Commerce in 2020. There, I worked in the economic development department. My main responsibilities included advising entrepreneurs, organizing events, and providing business consulting on a wide range of economic topics.

How were your first few weeks at your new job? How were you welcomed, and how has the onboarding process gone so far?

The first few weeks were, above all, one thing: a lot of new information. The onboarding process at the University, thanks to the support of my mentor, allowed me to settle in quickly and comfortably. I was given a very warm welcome by all the University staff, which made me very happy. Thankfully, my predecessor will support me with the technical onboarding. That’s a huge help to me and makes my transition much easier.

Can you describe your role in a few sentences and tell us what you do on a daily basis?

As the Rector’s KIA officer, I see myself as the liaison between companies, students, and the faculty. I’m part of the Office of University development and communication and am therefore also responsible for the strategic direction of the dual study program. Primarily, however, my task is to maintain the existing corporate network and acquire new partner companies, thereby helping to increase student enrollment.

What makes your work so appealing to you?

What I definitely love about my work is the variety. I enjoy interacting with students just as much as I do with companies. It’s always very exciting to consider both perspectives and ultimately find common ground between them. The challenge, on the other hand, is that there are only 24 hours in a day. No, just kidding—but certain administrative processes could be optimized through digitization, which would free up more time.

Have you already had contact with KIA partner companies?

Yes, right in the first week I had the opportunity to participate in the evening shift and visited Kreisel GmbH in Weißwasser—one of the first KIA partner companies. Last week, Deutsche Bahn Netz AG visited us at the University, and soon there will be a small project where we’ll introduce KIA partner companies. First, I’ll travel to Siemens in Görlitz, and in early 2023, I’ll visit LEAG in Cottbus and ATN Hölzel in Oppach. The corporate network is extensive and is set to be gradually expanded. Maintaining contact with these companies is very important to us as a University.

Work is only half of life. What do you like to do in your free time?

For several years now, I’ve been passionate about winter sports. I often go cross-country or backcountry skiing in the Zittau Mountains or the nearby Jizera Mountains. I enjoy traveling and trying things out for myself to gain my own experiences.